Big changes are due at the UCNJ Union College of Union County Physical Education Center with a renovation cleared for campus.
According to a Sept. 15 announcement from the Union County Improvement Authority, PECK will undergo a $30 million construction project to transform the 42,000-square-foot building on the UCNJ Cranford campus.
The work will produce a high-tech, state-of-the-art facility, UCIA said. The Board of Commissioners voted during a Sept. 9 public meeting to award the construction contract for the project to locally based M&M Construction Co. Inc.
According to UCIA Director Bibi Taylor, the new PECK will transform the campus athletics and community engagement at UCNJ, serving “as the athletic hub and student resource center … enhancing the college‘s ability to address athletic and academic needs, as well as host events that strengthen connections with the community.”
The design for the modernization will support National Junior College Athletic Association and Garden State Athletic Conference athletic programs, the announcement said. This work will ensure student athletes have resources and surroundings to excel.
DIGroup Architecture provided design for the project, according to renderings for the work.
Key PECK project details include:
- Expanded sports-related academic offerings, from sports management to community program partnerships
- Improved seating and ample athletic space to ensure safety and compliance
- A new wrestling room, weight training center, NJCAA regulation basketball court, modernized physical training room, multi-purpose room, as well as academic classrooms
The PECK will also offer a venue for large-scale community events. UCIA explicitly noted the updated space will allow UCNJ to host its future spring and winter commencement ceremonies at a significantly lower cost. Currently, the former, outdoor ceremony takes place in a large parking lot on campus, and thus is subject to weather conditions. For the latter, UCNJ currently relies on external venues.
Describing student athletes as an important part of the school collective, UCIA Board of Commissioners Chairperson Christopher Kolibas said, “Modernizing PECK will give our community a cutting-edge facility they can be proud of. We are excited to be a part of this next chapter for the UCNJ athletics program.”
According to a statement from Taylor, the Union County Commissioners helped fund the project, along with capital funds from the college. On its website, UCIA lists its total project cost for the work at $19.7 million.
Cranford-based M&M Construction secured the job after submitting the lowest responsible bid, UCIA said.
“This investment represents more than a building renovation — it is a commitment to the people of Union County,” added Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes Leon.
